The lovely city of Gisborne in the northeast of the North Island is a popular holiday spot for New Zealanders and its position on the Pacific Coast Highway that links Auckland with Hawke’s Bay, via the Bay of Plenty, also makes it a popular stop for road-tripping visitors. New Zealand’s easternmost city is the first city in the world to see the dawn of each new day – and it’s also blessed with fantastic beaches, great surf and rich culture and heritage. Kaiti Beach was the first landing place of Captain Cook when he visited New Zealand in 1769.

Gisborne itself is an attractive small city with a palm-tree-lined main street and excellent amenities – accommodation, restaurants and shopping. As the main service centre of Eastland it plays an important role year-round, but in summer it really buzzes.

Sights & Destinations in Gisborne

Mount Hikurangi

At 1,752 metres tall, Mount Hikurangi is the fourth highest mountain in the North Island and offers superb views as far as White Island, off the coast at Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty. It’s also an excellent place to watch the sunrise so join a guided predawn trip up the mountain. The mountain is sacred, so independent hikers will need to seek permission from the local iwi (Maori tribe), Ngati Porou.

Tolaga Bay Wharf

Measuring 660 metres in length, this is the longest pier in New Zealand. By 1875, Tolaga Bay was the largest settlement in Eastland and its remoteness meant most access was by sea. Small lighter boats transported goods and people between the beach and ships moored offshore. Work on a wharf began late in 1924 and the Tolaga Bay Wharf was officially opened on 22 November 1929. At its heyday, in 1936, 133 ships worked the port. Tolaga Bay Wharf is no longer used for shipping, but it is a popular place for walking and fishing. Also in Tolaga Bay is Cook’s Cove, which Captain Cook visited between 24 and 30 October 1769 to gather wood, water and botanical samples. He and his crew were welcomed by local Maori.

Activities in Gisborne

Walking and hiking

The Riverside Walkway follows the Turanganui and Taruheru Rivers with views of the inner city. The Gisborne Historic Walk offers a leisurely stroll through Gisborne City and up Kaiti Hill for great views of the area. Walk a section of the trail or the entire route (which takes approximately three hours). For longer forest walks, head to the Waiokea Gorge on the way from Gisborne to Opotiki. Whinray Scenic Reserve is home to a 429 ha area of native forest – walk the 5 km trail to stunning waterfalls on the Motu River. Other options in the Waiokea Gorge include the two- to three-hour Tauranga Track and the four-hour Mangapumarumaru Track to Tutaetoko Stream. Te Uruwera National Park, southwest of Gisborne, is the North Island’s largest remaining area of native forest and is the perfect destination for short walks and multi-day hikes.

Beaches

Perfect for a beach holiday, Gisborne enjoys one of the sunniest climates in New Zealand and gorgeous swimming and surf beaches. Kaiti Beach, right in Gisborne, was the first landing place of Captain Cook in 1769. Wainui Beach, 4 km from central Gisborne, is a lovely sand beach offering excellent surf and a swimming area patrolled by lifeguards in summer. A little further north, Makorori Beach is 10 km from Gisborne is known for its great surf but also offers safe swimming and is popular for fishing and diving. Surfing lessons are on offer for those who’ve never tried this popular sport.

Culture and history

Follow the Tairawhiti Heritage Trail to discover the fascinating cultural history of the Eastland region. As well as visiting the Cook Monument, erected in 1906 at the place where Captain Cook first landed in New Zealand on 8 October 1769, visitors will see numerous fine marae, churches and historic sites. North of Gisborne, just over 13 km along SH2, Manutuke is a highlight of the trail. The area contains several significant marae including Whakato Marae, home to the richly carved meeting house of Te Mana o Turanga (opened in 1883). Join a guided cultural tour for an unforgettable insight from a local expert. Back in Gisborne, Rairawhiti Museum is an award-winning complex housing Maori and European artefacts.

Fishing

Gisborne is the centre of an area renowned for game fishing. Game fish species include shark, marlin, tuna and Kingfish (Southern Yellowtail). Although there is no specific season for game fishing, mid to late summer is generally the best time of year. For a more tranquil fishing experience, the streams and lakes of the East Coast are home to numerous trout.